Double-twist spindle



Jan. 10, 1967 G. FRANZEN DOUBLE-TWIST SPINDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5l, 1964 Jan. 10, 1967 G. FRANzl-:N

DOUBLEPTWIST SPINDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 51, 1964 United States Patent O 3,296,788 DOUBLE-TWiST SPINDLE Gustav Franzen, Neer-sen, near Krefeld, Germany, as-

signor to Palitex Protect-Company G.m.b.H., Krefeld, Germany Filed .lilly 3l, i964, Ser. No. 386,626

Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 9, 1963,

8 Claims. (Cl. 57-58.83)

The present invention relates to a double-twist or twofor-one spindle. With double-twist spindles, ordinarily, the thread moves from the stationary yarn body placed upon the spindle in an upward direction at an inclination with regard to the spindle axis to the upper opening of the hollow shank of the spindle and after corresponding deviation the thread moves axially downwardly through the hollow spindle shank and through the thread storage disc radially outwardly, then upwardly in the form of a balloon to a balloon thread guide and finally to the spooling device.

It is the general tendency to avoid sharp bends of the thread and also deviations of the thread about small radii, because such sharp bends frequenly cause thread break. One of the sharpest bends is effected where the thread enters the hollow shank from the top. It is in particular within this range that variations in the thread tension are unavoidable in view of irregularities during the winding off of the yarn body. Thread guiding members arranged above the yarn body and rotating with the thread have become known which guiding members can turn inwardly in order to adapt themselves to the respective diameter of the yarn body during the unwinding thereof. While such thread guiding means make possible a certain adaptation to the respective winding off conditions, they do, however, not prevent the circumstances which bring about a thread break as the result of the sharp bend of the thread when it enters the hollow spindle shank.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a double-twist spindle which will overcome the abovementioned drawbacks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a doubletwist spindle which will favorably control the angle of deviation confined by the thread when it enters lthe hollow shank of the spindle, to thereby improve the movement of the thread.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a doubletwist spindle as set forth in the preceding paragraphs, which will make a rotating thread guiding element as heretofore necessary superfluous.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a double-twist spindle as set forth above, which will create more favorable conditions for the tension of the thread entering the hollow spindle shank and will thereby considerably reduce the danger of thread break.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a double-twist spindle which will automatically adapt the path along which the thread enters the hollow spindle shank to the respective thread tension.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specifications in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates in vertical section and partly in View the upper portion of a double-twist spindle with a tubular extension at the upper end of the spindle shank in conformity with the present invention, said extension being linked to the upper spindle shank end by a ball joint.

FIG. 2 is a section similar to that of FIG. 1 in which the lower end of said tubular extension is bell-shaped.

FIG. 3 shows a ball joint-like connection between the ICC hollow spindle shank and a tubular extension while employing magnets.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section and partial view of the upper portion of a double-twist spindle according to the invention in which the tubular thread guiding extension is axially displaceably arranged.

FIG. 5 represents an arrangement similar to that of FIG. 4 and differs therefrom primarily in that three magnets are employed.

As outlined above, the main problem underlying the present invention consists in so designing the upper end of the hollow shank of the spindle as thread guiding tube that the position of the opening of said thread guiding tube through which the thread enters the spindle shank will be able to be displaced laterally to a certain extent so that the deviating or bending angle formed by the thread when entering the hollow spindle shank will adapt itself to the thread tension and thus will favorably affect the course and direction of the thread.

This problem has been solved according to the present invention by making that end of the hollow spindle shank which extends upwardly beyond the yarn bobbin, tiltable about a pivot point on the hollow spindle shank so that the said end of the hollow spindle shank is tiltable along an acute angled surface of a cone having its tip located in said pivot point. According to a further feature of the invention, the said upper tiltable end of the spindle shank may be displaced in axial direction of said shank.

It will be appreciated that if with an arrangement according to the present invention an undue thread tension occurs, the thread will bring about an inclination of the tiltable shank end in the direction in which the tension is effective so that the path of the thread between yarn body and entrance into the hollow shank will be shortened while the angle of circulation will be increased. Due to the said tilting movement of the inlet opening of the spindle shank, the heretofore customary rotatable thread guiding elements become superfluous.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and FIG. 1 thereof in particular, the arrangement illustrated therein shows the upper portion of a hollow spindle shank l or bobbin receiving tube which includes the thread guiding tube. A yarn body 2 receiving bobbin 3 is mounted on the bobbin receiving tube 1. The upper end 4 of hollow shank ll forms a ball socket 5 having journalled therein the lower ball-shaped end of a tubular extension 6. This lower ball-shaped end 7 has the remainder provided with a bore 6a through which thread 9 may pass.

The tubular extension is by means of a spring ring 8 prevented from leaving ball socket 5. As will be evident from the drawing, spring ring 8 extends over the top portion of ball 7. A cover plate 10 of spherical shape in mounted on the tubular extension 6 to prevent dust from entering said ball socket 5. Normally the tubular extension 6 occupies the inclined position shown in FIG. 1 in which it rests against the upper wall portion of the ball socket 5. The rotating thread 9 and its tension bring about a tumbler movement of the tubular extension 6 along the surface of an imaginary acute angled cone the tip of which is located approximately in the center of ball 7. The inclination of the tubular extension 6 makes it possible to make the tubular extension shorter than the free length of the hollow shank of heretofore known double-twist spindles. Moreover, the free movability of of the tubular extension 6 in the ball socket 5 permits said tumbler movement to adapt itself to the respective tension of thread 9.

If desired, the arrangement of FIG. l may also be provided with a spring which automatically urges the tubular extension 6 to occupy a vertical position. To this end, for instance,.a screw spring may be placed upon the upper end 4 of shank 1 while the upper end of said spring may engage cover plate 1) from below.

The tendency of the tubular extension to move into its straight upright position may also be brought about by designing the tubular extension in conformity with the member 11 of FIG. 2. According to FIG. 2, the lower end of the tubular extension 11 is designed as a bell 12. The cross-sectional prole of this bell is so selected that the center of gravity of the tubular extension 11 including bell section 12 is located below the center of gravity in the center of a ball body 13 provided at the upper free end of the hollow shank 1a. Also with this arrangement a safety ring 14 prevents an undesired removal of the tubular extension 11 from ball 13. Bell 12, due to its weight, automatically imparts upon the tubular extension 11 the tendency to occupy a vertical upright position. A lateral tilting of tubular extension 11 is brought about by the tension of thread 9 being withdrawn from yarn body 2. The magnitude of this tilting movement is depend'ent on the respective thread tension so that a yielding of the tubular extension will assure that no sudden undue thread tensions occur which might bring about a break of the thread. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the deviation of the tubular extension 11 from its vertical position results in an increase in the angle at which the thread 9 enters the tubular extension 11.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the free end of hollow shank 1b is formed by a ball 13 about which the lower end of the tubular extension 15 extends. The lower end of the tubular extension 15 is formed by a ball cup 16. The lower marginal portion of ball cup 16 is provided with an annular magnet 17 facing in spaced relationship thereto an annular magnet 18 connected to the shank 1 or the bobbin receiving tube. Those sides of said magnets 17 and 18 which face each other are of the same polarity so that they have the tendency to push away from each other. This means that also the tubular extension 15 tends to lift itself off ball 13 so that it can easily tilt to all sides. The magnetic force on the other hand brings about that the tubular extension 15 will have the tendency to occupy a vertical position. Already a slight tension of thread 9 radially outwardly directed will suce to bring about a lateral deviation of the tubular extension 15 with the result that the latter will carry out a tumbler movement along an acute angled conical surface. In view of the progressive increase of the magnetic force on the side of the inclination, the force required for a tilting of the tubular extension will likewise progressively increase.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the ball 13a forms the end of a tubular section 21 which is freely axially displaceably mounted and guided in a sleeve 22 extending into the upper end of the hollow shank 1. The extent to which tubular member 21 is adapted to move upwardly out of its guiding sleeve 22 is determined by the magnetic force of the annular magnets 17 and 18. When a major downwardly directed thread tension occurs, the tubular member 21 is adapted to overcome the progressively increasing force of the magnets 17 and 18 which tend to repel each other, and to move downwardly into hollow shank 1. Thus, the free protruding end of tubular section 21 will be reduced by the thread tension. This reduction in cooperation with the possible lateral tilting movement of the tubular extension member 15 permits the arrangement to adapt itself to the different conditions of tension of thread 9 when the latter is being wound off cop 2.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. is somewhat similar to that of FIG. 6 but differs therefrom in that the tubular member 21a which is freely axially displaceable in sleeve 22, is provided with an annular lange 23 equipped with an annular magnet 24. Magnet 24 is interposed between and' spaced from magnet 17 at the lower marginal portion of ball cup 16 and annular magnet 18 arranged on the upper end face of shank 1. Those surfaces of said magnets which face each other are of the same polarity, so that the individual magnets have the tendency to repel each other. The repelling forces of the magnets are partially overcome by the occurring thread tension while a downwardly directed thread tension overcomes the force of the magnets 24 and 18 so that the tubular member 21a will move downwardly into its guiding sleeve 22. A radially outwardly directed thread tension brings about a pendulum movement of the extension member 15 about ball 13 while, however, the repelling force of magnets 17 and 24 brings about that the tubular extension 15 will automatically tend to occupy an upright position as soon as the radially directed tension of thread 9 decreases or disappears. Thus, the tubular extension 15 will, similar to the above-described embodiments, be able to move freely so as to circumscribe a cone with the tip thereof on the shank, but simultaneously is able axially to move upwardly and downwardly.

As will be evident from the above, all described embodiments have in common that the upper end of the axially extending, preferably stationary hollow spindle shank is formed by a tubular extension which is tiltable toward all sides of the shank and which can be tilted to such an extent as to circumscribe a cone with acute-angled tip on the shank.

As will be evident from the various embodiments, the guiding of the thread may be very much improved and also the adaptation to the respective conditions of thread tension. This improvement may be effected by additional tubular elements which can, independently of the movability of the tubular extension member, carry out titlting or tumbler movements. The tubular extension member according to the present invention may in addition to being tiltable toward all sides also be movable in axial direction of the spindle shank. The starting or rest position in the thus axially movable member is determined by oppositely located magnets, of which those surfaces which face each other have the same polarity. Only a small axial force is required in order to permit the said axial displacement.

With all embodiments, especially those which include magnets, already slight differences in the thread tension will suffice to bring about axial displacement or tumbler movements whereby the thread path is reduced and the entrance angle of the thread being fed into the hollow shank is increased. In this connection, it is of particular advantage that the hereto required arrangement of a special rotating guiding member for the thread being withdrawn from the cop will be superfluous.

It may also be added that, as illustrated in the drawings, the mating ends of the bores in the spindle shank and tubular means communicating with each other are preferable flared outwardly so that free communication remains established between said bores in any titlted position which the respective tubular means may assume relative to the spindle shank.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular constructions shown in the drawings, but also comprises any modilications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A double twist spindle having a shank portion adapted to support a bobbin and being provided with an axial bore adapted to convey a thread therethrough, tubular means connected to the upper end portion of said shank portion and tiltable toward the side of said shank portion about a point within the contines of said shank portion so as to be able to circumscribe an upside-down cone with the tip thereof on said shank portion.

2. A double twist spindle having a shank portion adapted to support a bobbin and being provided with an axial bore adapted to convey a thread therethrough, the upper end portion of said shank portion -forming a ball socket, and tubular means having one end thereof ballshaped and tiltably joumalled in said ball socket so as to be able to circumscribe an upside-down cone with the tip thereof in said ball shaped end of said tubular means.

3. A double twist spindle having a shank portion adapted to support a bobbin and being provided with an axial bore adapted to convey a thread therethrough, the upper end portion of said shank portion being ball shaped, and tubular means having one end thereof designed as ball cup slidably engaging said ball shaped end portion of said upper shank portion so as to allow tilting of said tubular means toward all sides of said shank portion.

4. A double twist spindle according to claim 3, in which the ball cup designed end of said tubular means ares outwardly in the form of a bell extending beyond said ball shaped portion of said upper shank portion in a direction toward the lower part of said shank portion, the arrangement being such that the center of gravity of said tubular means is located at a level lower than the center of the pivotal connection of said tubular means with said spindle shank whereby said tubular means has the tendency to move into an upright position.

S. A double twist spindle having a shank portion adapted to support a bobbin and being provided with an axial bore adapted to convey a thread therethrough, the upper end portion of said shank portion being ball shaped, tubular means havingone end thereof designed as ball cup slidably engaging said ball shaped end portion of said upper shank portion so as to allow tilting of said tubular means toward all sides of said shank portion, iirst magnetic means connected to the free marginal portion of said ball cup, and second magnetic means mounted on said shank portion in spaced relationship and opposite to said rst magnetic means, those surfaces of said first and second magnetic means which face each other being of the same polarity.

6. A double twist spindle having a shank portion adapted to support a bobbin and being provided with an axial bore adapted to convey a thread therethrough, a tubular member slidably guided in the upper portion of said shank portion and having an axial bore communicating with the bore in said shank portion, one end of said tubular member protruding from said shank portion in axial direction thereof and being ball shaped, tubular means having one end ball cup shaped and in sliding engagement with the surface of said ball shaped end of said tubular member for sliding movement thereon in any direction with regard to said spindle shank, rst magnetic means aranged at said ball cup shaped end of said tubular means, and second magnetic means arranged on the upper end of said shank portion for cooperation with said rst magnetic means, those surfaces of said first and second magnetic means which face each other being of the same polarity.

7. A double twist spindle having a shank portion adapted to support a bobbin and being provided with an axial bore adapted to convey a thread therethrough, sleeve means arranged in the upper portion of said shank portion, said sleeve means having a bore therethrough in substantially axial alignment with the axial bore of said shank portion, a tubular member having a bore therethrough in substantially axial alignment with the axial bore of said shank portion and having one of its end portions slidably guided in said sleeve means and having its other end portion ball shaped, and tubular means having one end ball cup shaped and slidably engaging said ball shaped end of said tubular member for tilting movement about said ball shaped end, the interior of said tubular means communicating with the bore in said tubular member, first magnetic means connected to that end portion of said ball cup shaped end which is adjacent said shank portion, and second magnetic means arranged opposite said first magnetic means and surrounding said sleeve means, those surfaces of said first and second magnetic means which face each other being of the same polarity.

8. A double-twist spindle having a shank portion adapted to support a bobbin and being provided with an axial bore adapted to convey a thread therethrough, sleeve means arranged in the upper portion of said shank portion, said sleeve means having a bore therethrough in substantially axial alignment with the axial bore of said shank portion, a tubular member having a bore therethrough in substantially axial alignment with the axial bore of said shank portion and having one of its end portions slidably guided in said sleeve means and having its other end portion ball-shaped, and tubular means having one end ball cup-shaped and slidably engaging said ballshaped end of said tubular member for tilting movement about said ball-shaped end, the interior of said tubular means communicating with the bore in said tubular member, first magnetic means connected to that end portion of said ball cup-shaped end which is adjacent said shank portion, second magnetic means arranged opposite said first magnetic means and surrounding said sleeve means, those surfaces of said rst and second magnetic means which face each other being of opposite polarity, and third magnetic means mounted on said tubular member opposite and in spaced relationship to both said rst and second magnetic means, those surfaces of said third magnetic means which respectively face said rst and second magnetic means having the same polarity as the respective surfaces of said first and second magnetic means which face the surfaces of said third magnetic means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,240,153 4/1941 Carter et al. 57-58.86

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,019,061 10/1952 France. 1,327,482 4/1963 France.

657,647 3/1938 Germany. 961,615 6/1964 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES Furth: German appl., No. 1,091,466, pub. 10-20-1960.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DOUBLE TWIST SPINDLE HAVING A SHANK PORTION ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A BOBBIN AND BEING PROVIDED WITH AN AXIAL BORE ADAPTED TO CONVEY A THREAD THERETHROUGH, TUBULAR MEANS CONNECTED TO THE UPPER END PORTION OF SAID SHANK PORTION AND TILTABLE TOWARD THE SIDE OF SAID SHANK PORTION ABOUT A POINT WITHIN THE CONFINES OF SAID SHANK PORTION SO AS TO BE ABLE TO CIRCUMSCRIBE AN UPSIDE-DOWN CONE WITH THE TIP THEREOF ON SAID SHANK PORTION. 